Understanding the Chakras in Yoga

(published Feb. 2004 in Enlightened Practice Magazine)

"Close your eyes and listen," our teacher instructs as he plays Beethoven's
Fifth. "This is the energy of the fifth Chakra." Then he plays a drum
beat percussion like an Indian war dance. "This is the root Chakra," he
says.

A skilled teacher, Tom Skorpua of Kansas City, next led us through
a series of Yoga poses that he felt stimulated these "spinning wheels
of light" called Chakras.

Tom adjusted my stance in Warrior pose (Virabhadrasana II). At that
time in the 80's, newer to Yoga, I collapsed my belly into my pelvis.
He asked permission to adjust, moving the back thy bone deeper back and
the root of the other hip forward. When he said to lift my organs up
and back, I felt the breath (Prana) fill my pelvis (1st and 2nd Chakras)
as if it were a sponge. My love affair with Yoga deepened and I wanted
to know everything I could about the Chakras.

Yoga is both science and art, says master teacher B.K.S. Iyengar. The
Chakras, esoteric or abstract in nature as opposed to scientific, are
cloaked to this day in much mystery and mysticism.

For example, in the l977 text by James Hewitt, The Complete Yoga Book,
he writes that the Chakras are literally "wheels" said to be vortices
of Pranic energy, each associated with special powers awakened by contemplative
meditation. He offers three brief theories to consider. The first talks
of the astral or "auric" body; the second of the nerve plexuses and glands;
and the third a Sufi concept which claim the Chakras as concentration
points whose activation is theoretical only. Hewitt says the Buddhist
Trantrists recognize only four Chakras, symbolized by the cobra head
on artwork and statues. He mentions that Kundalini Yoga describes the
sleeping serpent as a symbol of the root and describes the seven symbols
of the Chakras and their association.

This is where many theories on the Chakras begin to merge; agreeing
on the seven centers within the body.

Probably the most popular book in recent times is Anodea Judith's Wheels
of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System (1997 Llewellyn Press).
She writes in her intro: "At the inner core of each one of us spin seven
wheel-like energy centers called Chakras. Swirling intersections of vital
life forces, each Chakra reflects an aspect of consciousness essential
to our lives. They are centers of activity for the reception, assimilation,
and transmission of life energies."

As a meditation practitioner for 20 years, when the energy of the prana
began to move, I felt it! Often tingles in my crown, like warm fingers
tickling my hair, made me wonder what was happening. When I discussed
this with a senior Yoga teacher, he said, "Don't worry. It will go away." From
that moment, it became evident to me that many systems of Yoga and their
teachers did not share common knowledge or have the desire to understand
the Chakras. Since the existence of these energy centers is more of an
art than a science, it lends itself to a vast array of interrelations,
making it difficult to understand, and even more complex to teach.

Still, I wanted to know more. In Carolyn Myss' book Anatomy of Spirit
she shares her knowing of Chakras as an intuitive healer. Her body of
work continues to grow, now well-regarded in holistic circles. Next I
was led to a body of metaphysical work produced by Concept: Synergy called
the Lazaris Material. In the audio "Healing: The Nature of Health," in
plain and understandable language, the nature of the Chakras is explained
along with how they impact the health of the body.

I imagine the wonderful hieroglyphic symbols of the Chakras are valuable
gifts from the ancient texts. I belief the symbols stimulate the unconscious
mind to bridge the gap to conscious mind. Having never heard it from
anyone, I received this insight during a workshop I led on the Chakras:
Perhaps the symbol of the Caduceus used in modern medicine could easily
be interpreted as left brain/right brain or yin/yang. The intertwining
of the serpents symbolizes balance. In modern medicine, which applies
as well to Yoga teachers, Hippocrates formed the pledge "do no harm." Perhaps
modern medicine traces its message to ancient healers and this mysticism.

To create no harm, I think especially in yoga, means each of us take
responsibility for our health in what we say, what we choose (such as
diet and exercise), what we think and feel, our attitudes, and our beliefs.
In yoga, harmlessness thus gives us the grace of health and balance in
the mental, emotional, and physical bodies.

Here is the good news. All Yoga poses effect the health of the three
bodies, some more than others. Agreement as to which Yoga postures are
the most effective is disputed among teachers. I've noticed in teaching
classes for over a decade that when I share poses for specific Chakras
students respond well. For example, someone who is tense and anxious
always seems to feel better with standing postures which move the energy
of the third Chakra or "gut" level responses.

When someone loses a loved one to death or divorce, I suspect the root
Chakra and the heart Chakra will be vulnerable, perhaps damaged, but
never closed down. There may be literal "pain" in the heart from the
emotional trauma. Child's pose will calm the upset and all standing postures
will help ground and re-direct the energy to ease the pain in the heart.
All back bending movements lift the energy of the heart Chakra; counter
the rolled-in shoulders common to depressed people. Succinct information
follows:

Chakra One:

At the base of spine or tailbone. Revolves around the basic question
of being. Do I have the right to be here? Am I safe? Do I have enough
money, good relationships, and health? Health challenges: obesity,
hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatic, arthritis, bulimia and bone
issues. Recommended Yoga Poses: Child's pose (Adho Mukha Virasana); Seated
Hero (Virasana), Mountain (Tadasana), Down Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana).

Charka Three:

The solar plexus region and largest center. Gut response to feelings;
sense of esteem and true self emerging. Ownership of thoughts/choices/attitudes/beliefs.
Idea of "oneness." We are all in this boat together. Health challenges:
knees, ulcers, acid reflex, and diabetes. Recommended Yoga Poses: All
Standing Postures.

Chakra Four:

The heart area described as a bell, which has not been rung (un-struck
sound or air element). A yearning within that knows to love and be
loved in the most important point of life. That love connects us
with other human beings with compassion and respect. Health Challenges:
asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease. Recommended
Yoga Poses: All Backbend Postures with appropriate contraindications.

Chakra Six:

The pituitary or third eye or intuition. Wisdom as a point of command,
feeling and believing in ourselves from the inside. That vision or
intuition becomes our home. Health Challenges: few but possible headache,
tumor of head, eye problems. Recommended Yoga Poses: All Twisting
Postures, some say inversions.

"Avoid playing your Yoga into perfectionism," he says. "Our role as
teacher or student is to accept all aspects of being a human. Yoga is
a vehicle for living at all levels of body/mind/spirit/emotion at one
time. The charkas are a guide to opening those parts of ourselves which
may be lost or blocked."

Guided Meditation to Balance the Chakras

Sit quietly in reclining or seated meditation. Begin breathing. Take
your time to feel safe, loved, and protected. Use savasana techniques
to relax. Beginners may need more time to relax than practiced students.

Now let your senses become alive. What do you feel? What do you see?
What do you hear? What do you smell and taste? What does your intuition
say? Allow images and messages to come without the inner-critic. Ask
your high self, soul, and spirit to hold the high watch and protect you
from negative ego and anything unlike love. Visualize a rainbow of light
descending around your body. See or "pretend" like watching a movie in
your mind red light washing over you, at the tailbone; then orange the
navel; next yellow, in the solar plexus; now emerald green in the heart
space; sky blue in the throat and shoulders; deep purple/indigo in the
center of the brain; white violet diamond shimmering light at the crown
of the head. Sit quietly and be with the experience without judging it.
Return by deepening your breath.

References in this article: The Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss,
PhD; Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith; Yoga and Chakras, notes from Lecture
with Joseph LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Kansas City, 3/01; Original
work of Suzette Scholtes Evolving Woman Magazine's Body/Mind/Soul column,
copyright l996-2000, all rights reserved. The Many Benefits of Meditation
by Suzette Scholtes.